Your weekly source for Second Amendment news and events in Massachusetts
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Gun Owners' Action League
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March 4, 2016

Greetings!

Thank you for reading the Friday News.  Please remember, everything we do, including this email is made possible by the generous support of GOAL members.  If you are not a member, please consider joining GOAL , if you are a member, please consider a generous donation, purchasing raffle tickets, or attending a GOAL event.  
Are You A GOAL Member?

It's not unusual for us to receive phone calls from MA gun owners who are looking for guidance and are not members of GOAL.

Often times they ask "why should I join GOAL?"   The answer is simple: "our answering of your phone call and question is made possible by GOAL members".

We are more than just a resource though, we continually work to protect & restore Second Amendment freedom, we support many education efforts including our full training schedule and we proudly represent the interests of all law abiding gun owners.

If you are not a member, please consider joining, you can do so online here: http://goal.org/joingoal.html

The Big Bang Annual Raffle is Back!

The Big Bang Annual Raffle is our primary fund raising event for the year and is vitally necessary to our continued success.

Drawing will be held at noon on April 29, 2016 at the GOAL office.

Tickets: $10 each, three for $20, ten for $50.

This year we have 10 fabulous firearms that you will surely get a "kick" out of!

  1. Mossberg MVP Rifle 7.62mm
  2. Ruger Redhawk Hunter Revolver .44 mag
  3. Auto Ordnance M1 Carbine .30
  4. Windham Weaponry Muddy Girl AR-15 Rifle 5.56mm
  5. CAI WASR-10 Rifle 7.62x39
  6. Savage 220 Camo Shotgun 20ga
  7. Mossberg MVP Predator Rifle 5.56mm
  8. Ruger SR1911 Pistol .45 ACP
  9. S&W M&P-10 Rifle .308 cal
  10. Mossberg 930 Shotgun 12ga

Drawing held April 29, 2016 at 12:00 PM at the GOAL office, you need not be present to win. Odds determined by number of tickets sold. All federal and state gun laws apply. All prizes are to be claimed within 30 days from the drawing.

Please note! Due to federal regulation we cannot send ticket stubs for any raffle via the mail.

Alert - New Action Item - **Crossbow Bill** 

We currently have multiple alert - action items which need your attention. 

Four action items - Please take action today!
  • **NEW - Crossbow Bill Needs Support**
    Call - Email - Write your state senator!  Senator Anne Gobi has sent a letter of support to Senate President Stanley Rosenberg in support of S.414 " An Act relative to the use of crossbows in hunting " Please contact your senator today, ask that he or she sign onto Senator Gobi's letter in support of the legislation.  The more support the better chance of becoming law!  Click here to read/open Senator Gobi's letter.
  • Call - Email - Write your state representative and state senator - urge them to oppose: 1. H.3476 Imitation Gun Bill, 2. H.3914 "No Fly" list legislation.  Also, ask them to support all GOAL legislation discussed yesterday at the public hearing - ask that they oppose all "opposed" legislation from yesterday.  Click here for GOAL's list of legislation heard yesterday with "support/oppose" position.
  • Ask your state representative and senator to contact the members and chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security - ask that they contact the committee members and ask that they support/oppose legislation listed above from yesterday's hearing - ask that they oppose the "No Fly" legislation and imitation gun bill.
  • Call - Email - Write the chairs and members of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security - ask them to support/oppose legislation listed above - ask that they oppose the "No Fly" legislation.

Click here for GOAL's Action - Alert page with more information.
GOAL Alert:  Town of Lexington Voting To Ban Commonly Owned Firearms & Magazines

The town of Lexington will vote on Article 34 at town meeting beginning on March 21, 2016.

The article, if passed, will ban many commonly owned firearms and magazines in the town of Lexington. Currently the town of Lexington has over 800 residents who are duly licensed to own firearms. Should this article become law it would affect an untold amount of firearms, which are currently legally owned.

To stop this article from becoming law, it must be voted down by Lexington's town meeting members at the Annual Town Meeting.

The annual town meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2016 at 7:30 PM in the Carey Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420.

Take Action!

Lexington residents need to contact their town meeting members and urge them to vote NO on Article 34.

Click here to see a precinct map for Lexington.  Click here for a listing of town meeting members.

Plan on attending town meeting March 21, 2016 and speaking out against this attack on our Second Amendment.

Learn About The Issue - "Why the Lexington Gun Ban is a bad idea!"

Click here for a printable fact sheet with info about firearms licensing, the Second Amendment and the firearms, which are targeted by this proposal.

Click here for more information
"Captain Parker" Checks In

Constitutional Concerns Regarding Article 34

The proponent of Article 34 stated that because the Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to the Highland Park case, that there would be no issue regarding its compliance with the 2nd Amendment. At the time of the Supreme Court's inaction on Highland Park, there were no conflicting lower court rulings. Subsequently, in Kolbe v Maryland, the 4th Circuit applied "strict scrutiny" to Maryland's assault weapons ban, found that the firearms in question were in "common use" and referred the case back to district court. So the 2nd Amendment issue is very much alive, as we now have conflicting lower court cases that may soon require the Supreme Court to adjudicate.

Article 34 holds that "Any weapons or magazines deemed illegal in accord with this amended by-law within the Town of Lexington shall be seized and destroyed by the police of the Town of Lexington. The Fourth Amendment holds that:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

If Lexington seizes firearms without a warrant, that would appear to be a 4th Amendment violation. And if it seeks a warrant, on what basis would a Massachusetts judge issue one, seeing that the firearms are legal under Massachusetts law?

Regarding the 5th amendment, it holds that:

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Article 34 would deprive firearms owners of their property with no due process. The police, in their sole judgement, would deem a firearm non-compliant and seize it. This would appear to be a violation of the 5th Amendment.

Lexington has many real issues facing it. Does the town really want to be distracted by, and squandering resources on, constitutional challenges to a by-law that even its proponent concedes is symbolic?

Thank you to http://www.lexforliberty.org/ for sharing this with us.   If you would like to get the latest info, sign up on their website here:  http://www.lexforliberty.org/
The Professor Is Coming!  The Professor Is Coming!

The NRA picks up on the proposed Lexington gun ban and it's proponent.

For more than 240 years, the Massachusetts township of Lexington has been engaged in a debate with neighboring Concord over who can lay claim to being the true home of the “Shot Heard ’Round The World”—the opening salvo in the American Revolution fired on April 19, 1775. While shots were almost certainly fired earliest at Lexington, the resistance at Concord brought about the first British casualties and retreat. Lexington has since fought for its place in American history, even petitioning the state legislature in 1894 to proclaim April 19 “Lexington Day.” 

Lately the two towns have declared a truce (Lexington’s website references the Battle of Lexington and Concord), but Lexington residents remain fiercely proud of their place in American heritage. Now, a Harvard professor wants to change all that.

Read more
Legislators Shooting Suppressed Firearms!

Lots of great knowledge was shared today at Worcester Pistol & Rifle as we co-hosted a range day for legislators featuring nothing but suppressed firearms.  We had all kinds of firearms available to try out and the folks at American Suppressor Assoc. did a great job demonstrating the many positive attributes of shooting suppressed! 

ASA President Knox Williams is pictured at right, he began the range portion of the day by demonstrating the difference between shooting with and without the suppressor on a variety of firearms.

Thanks again to everyone who was in attendance and especially to the American Suppressor Association, the NSSF, Yankee Hill Machine, Sig Sauer, SilencerCo, and Worcester Pistol & Rifle for hosting.

GOAL Notes
Voting for the NRA Board?  Please consider our friend and colleague Tom King!
If you are voting in the NRA elections, please consider voting for our friend Tom King of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association. http://nraontherecord.org/tom-king/

2016 GOAL Cup
Saturday, April 9 9 AM - 2 PM - Southborough Rod and Gun Club 254 Fruit St, Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748


Squadding at 8:00 AM first shots at 9:00 AM

Open to all GOAL Members! Shooters of all abilities and ages are encouraged to compete.

Course of fire: 50 Singles (16 yards)
Trophies for: High Gun, High Lady, High Junior, High Team of Five. A Junior is under 18 years of age on the date of the Event. Team of Five may be “made up” the day of the Event.

Entry fee of $40 Includes all targets for record, and post-event meal. Net proceeds to benefit GOAL. Practice rounds will be available, at Club Member prices. SRGC is a Green Club: only non-toxic ammo is permitted. 12 and 20 ga. ammo will be available.

Ties will be decided by a Step-Back-Sudden-Victory shoot-off. Winner of High Gun is not eligible to win other individual Trophies. Except as noted above, current ATA rules will apply. The Trap Committee will direct the Event. Committee decisions are final.

Event will be held, regardless of weather. Rules subject to change up to the first shot.

Pre-registration and payment is requested!
Please contact Mike Pearson at [email protected] to sign up or for more info.
GOAL Training - 2016 Schedule - New Coursed Added!

Have you checked out the GOAL Training schedule for 2016? We have a huge variety to choose from and more on the way.  Remember, GOAL members always get a discount and all proceeds go directly towards our continued efforts to protect & restore Second Amendment freedom in MA.
Women On Target, Sign Up Today!

GOAL presents Women On Target events all over Massachusetts. If you are interested in a great day of fun and education for ladies only please contact us by clicking here !

2016 Schedule: (look for more dates soon)

Westwood Gun Club - Two Dates! Saturday April 2, 2016 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or Saturday June 11, 2016 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Westwood Gun Club 25 Trailside Road Medfield, MA. Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Mark Gentile via email: [email protected]

The Nimrod League of Holden - April 9, 2016 - 9:00am to 5:30pm Click here for more information or to sign up.

The Fin, Fur & Feather club of Natick & Wellesley - June 4, 2016 - 8:00am to 4:15pm - Limited to 50 students. Pre-registration is required, contact Mary at [email protected] or by calling 508-533-5572. Please note this event has a rain date scheduled for June 11, 2016.

Click here for more information.
Club Events
  • Lunenburg Sportsmens Club - Gun Show - 250 Reservoir Rd, Lunenburg, Ma 01462 Saturday March 26, 2016 - 9:00 am- 3:00 pm - Door Prize - Refreshments - 60 Table - Info contact Ruby Shannon 978-827-5217. $4.00 Admission
  • Lowell Sportsmen's Club: NSSF Rimfire Challenge, Saturday, March 19th 9am - Great fun for all skill levels from the first time shooter to the skilled competitor, the National Shooting Sports Foundation SteelRimfire Challenge is a .22 rifle and pistol event focusing on marksmanship, speed, and fun.  This event is open to everyone age 15 an up.  Cost is $15 (which includes ammo), visit http://www.lowellsc.orgfor more info and to register.
  • Swift River Sportsman's Club - Tickets are now available for the Swift River Sportsman's Club Remington 870 12g shotgun combo raffle. Comes with a 26" bird barrel and a 20" slug barrel. Must be 18+ years of age with valid FID or LTC required to purchase a ticket. Winner will pick up gun at R&R Sport Shop in Belchertown. To be drawn on March 9 at monthly meeting. Tickets are $20 each and only 100 will be sold.  Contact Laura Lavallee at 413-883-3840 for tickets.
  • Leominster Sportsmen's Association will be holding its Winter Rifle Matches on Sunday mornings, starting December 6th through the end of March - 9-11am at Camp Bartlett, 1455 Elm St.  It's any rifle/any sights or scope, 20 shots in 20 minutes at 100 yards on SR-1 targets, standing ("offhand") in our heated range house. costs $5.  This is a great way to improve your marksmanship skills. All are welcome - grab your rifle & come on down!  The kitchen is open for breakfast 7-10am. www.lsa-ma.org 
  • The Haverhill Hound Rod and Gun Club has lots of events, shoots and activities - All Leagues and HHRG club events are open to the public:  Check out our Public Event Calendar
  • Uxbridge Rod & Gun Club - Sunday Morning Trap - 10:00 AM start time, runs year round, join in for a great time!  
  • High Power Rifle Shooting, at Reading Rifle and Revolver - the ONLY 600yd range in Massachusetts has a full schedule for both "Across the Course" NRA and CMP matches as well as NRA "Mid-Range Prone" matches, for the upcoming 2015 season. You don't need to be a member to participate in the matches.Go to: http://readinghighpower.com/ for complete schedule and match results. If you have questions please contact the High Power Director at, [email protected]    
  • Petersham Gun Club - Sporting Clays - course open every Sunday year round, we shoot at 10am and finish by 1pm.  Contact [email protected] for more information.

If your club has an open to the public event you would like to promote, please email the info to [email protected] 

Join GOAL - Now More Than Ever!
This e-mail and everything we do is made possible by GOAL Members. If you find information in this e-mail, or anything we do to be helpful, please consider joining, supporting, and/or donating to GOAL.

"Protecting Your Freedom Begins Here"
Why You Should Join GOAL:  Every intrusion on our Second Amendment Rights is an intrusion on all rights. The Constitutional rights and freedoms that you enjoy - and may take for granted - are becoming more fragile each day. Secure your rights for yourself, your family and future generations.

Join GOAL and become part of the solution today . 
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Gun Owners' Action League | http://www.goal.org | Northborough, MA.  01532